Marks & Spencer is making strides in sustainability by expanding its beauty takeback scheme to 100 UK stores.
- Initially launched in June 2023, the scheme began with 40 stores and now includes 60 additional locations.
- The initiative has successfully processed over 1.6 tonnes of beauty packaging, equivalent to the weight of a small car.
- Customers can return plastic or aluminium beauty packaging from any retailer, which is then recycled into new products.
- The scheme is part of M&S’s broader sustainability goals, including its ‘another life’ initiative.
Marks & Spencer has accelerated its commitment to sustainability by extending its beauty takeback programme, initially launched in June 2023, from 40 to 100 stores. This expansion includes major UK locations such as Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre, Cardiff, and Inverness, thereby significantly increasing the programme’s reach.
The beauty takeback scheme allows customers to recycle beauty packaging made of plastic or aluminium from any brand. This initiative has already processed more than 1.6 tonnes of packaging, an amount comparable to the weight of a small vehicle. The collected materials are recycled and transformed into new products, exemplified by a wide-toothed hair comb made from at least 98% of the reclaimed packaging. This product is available for purchase both online and in select stores for £8.
This recycling programme is integral to M&S’s ‘another life’ initiative, which integrates its circularity services. Alongside the beauty takeback scheme, M&S offers a clothing repair service in collaboration with Sojo, launched in August, and maintains a longstanding clothing donation partnership with Oxfam, originally branded as ‘Shwopping’ since 2008.
Katharine Beacham, Head of Sustainability of Clothing and Home at M&S, commented on the scheme’s success, stating, ‘Since launching last year, our beauty takeback scheme has proven hugely popular, providing a convenient option for customers to recycle their beauty products.’ Beacham expressed enthusiasm about broadening the initiative, highlighting its role in enabling customers to give their empty beauty packaging a second life.
By expanding its beauty takeback programme, M&S strengthens its dedication to sustainability and customer engagement across the UK.
